God is in EVERY side of our lives

by Gary Elsten, pastor
Frankton First United Methodist Church

Just like the ocean has a tide that comes in and goes out, life seems to have its ups and downs – its ebbs and flows. There are times in our lives when it seems as though everything is going along just the way we like it.  Our relationships are good.  Our judgment seems clear.  School seems easier and work flies by.  Our future outlook is nothing but blue sky. 

Then there are those other days; those days when things have gone from bad to worse and the storm clouds just keep rolling in.  Whether our life is in one of the flow periods or one of the ebb periods, it’s always good to remember that we have a constant in our lives.  That constant is the love and presence of God.  He is always there whenever we need him, which is all the time, even when things seem to be on the up side.

But it’s so interesting to notice that even our prayer life, our conversation with God, has its ebbs and flows.  There are times when we want to pray and the prayers just keep flowing.  There are other times when we find it difficult to pray and every word is a struggle.  We all need to understand that this is a natural occurrence in our lives.  We are, after all, only human.  We have ups and downs that are brought on by what’s happening around us and what’s happening inside us. 

What we should remember, but is sometimes so hard to remember, is that whether we are in the up side or the down side, God is in ‘every’ side.  And even when you are having trouble with your prayer life, the Holy Spirit is having no trouble praying for you.  Take heart.  Be of good courage.  God still cares, even when we’re not talking to him as much as we know we should.